Iguodala excelling with U.S. national team

NEW YORK - Andre Iguodala looked happy.

A call didn't go his way, he sprinted back on defense.

A soaring dunk bounced off the back of the rim, he smiled and laughed.

On Thursday night, Iguodala rarely came off the makeshift court placed upon Radio City Music Hall's stage. The game was the opening event for Nike's World Basketball Festival, and a showcase for USA Basketball in advance of the 2010 FIBA World Basketball Championship.

The World Championship, in Turkey, runs Aug. 28 through Sept. 12.

"Mentally, I'm just good," Iguodala explained. "This summer I had a chance to take a vacation and get away from the game, then started back training early. I've just been really happy this summer. It's been a lot of fun with these guys, it's been a big help, but overall I've just been happy."

Iguodala isn't just scrapping to make the U.S. national team, he's one of its best: On Thursday, Iguodala won MVP of the intra-squad scrimmage, which was played before Jay-Z's concert officially opened the event.

Sitting on the sideline watching Iguodala's game-high 15 points were basketball's A-list stars: Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Amar'e Stoudemire.

A few minutes after the game, Iguodala posted this tweet: "Game was fun, still got more work to do . . . Thanks for the support. Bout to enjoy Jay-Z show." This is Iguodala's life right now.

But in two months, he will wear a different jersey and be surrounded by different teammates.

Teammates not named Kevin Durant, Chauncey Billups, and Derrick Rose.

Iguodala's game, though, needn't change.

Rebound, fill the lanes, and play defense.

These are the things 76ers' fans demand of Iguodala, the things he's doing with the national team, the things he does better than most in the NBA, but also the things that fade to the background when he's forced to become a team's go-to scorer.

"I just have a little bit more energy," Iguodala said of this summer. "I think everyone does."

"For us, Andre has been one of our best players," said U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski. "He's in great shape, he's in mid-season shape. He's also doing the things that come naturally to him, that are easier for him most of the time. Like he's playing defense. He's filling the lane. He's driving the ball. He's not forcing shots."

Krzyzewski prefaced the statement by admitting: "I don't watch [the Sixers] specifically during the season." And that's probably a good thing, since for the Sixers, last year was epic in all the wrong ways. Iguodala himself would likely want a mulligan - just erase it from the books as if it never happened.

These last few months, Iguodala has talked twice a week with new head coach Doug Collins. "He's really into the game," Iguodala said of Collins. "He's really passionate about the game. And that's something I think we need. It's going to rub off on everybody. We had a rough time last year and it can roll over."

It's helpful that Iguodala appears dominating, because in Philly, the clock is ticking. This must be his breakthrough season: All-Star Game, on-court leadership, maturity, shot selection.

"When you're losing games and you don't know what direction you're going in, you're not at ease," Iguodala said of last season. "It can be frustrating at times. But that's with anywhere. That's not something I'm saying I'm unhappy in Philly, because that's where I want to stay. I honestly want to be there the rest of my career."

Iguodala has spoken with Sixers point guard Jrue Holiday, who played in this summer's rookie league under Collins and reported Collins' demanding nature, his accountability.

Both are attributes the team needs.

On Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. team practiced at John Jay College in New York City. The cramped court was filled with the world's best players, and Iguodala was doing what he does best: defending like it was varsity tryouts and filling the lanes like a track star.

Afterward, Rose, the star point guard of the Chicago Bulls, was standing in the bleachers talking with his team's new coach, Tom Thibodeau. It was casual, off-season talk: how to push the ball, spacing for outlet passes. And when they were done, Rose stepped down onto the court and answered a few questions.

Since Rose and Iguodala are both from Chicago, he seemed like the perfect guy to ask about the Sixers' forward.

"He's doing him," Rose said. "He plays hard, he plays with a lot of energy: rebounding the ball, pushing it. That's what he does for his team, and that's what's really helping this team."